She and other political leaders have urged residents to follow evacuation orders. More than 400 people have been forced from their homes due to the coastal fire.

Earlier in the week Ms Trad also noted the impact of climate change, including "increased temperatures", as having raised the fire risks for the subtropical state.

On the weekend, fires tore through rainforest areas in Queensland's south-east, which had dried out as a result of little rainfall this year.

Dry, hot conditions and winds of up to 80km/hr (50mph) also whipped up the fire at the coastal Peregian area, which was still threatening homes on Tuesday. Police said they were investigating whether the fire had been started deliberately.

Video shared online shows burning embers being blown into suburban streets, with locals describing the scenes as like "raining fire".

Traditionally, Queensland has not had a recognised bushfire season because fires were considered to occur there less frequently. In the drier southern states of New South Wales and Victoria, the season runs from October to April.

Officials have warned the hot and windy conditions are unprecedented this early in the season - and are the result of record winter warmth and little rainfall.